Postdoctoral Researcher in Process Modelling, Integration and Techno-Economic Analysis of Reversible Solid Oxide Electrolysis and Biomethanation Systems Aarhus University in Denmark

This postdoctoral position is based in the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University and is embedded in the Bioprocess Engineering environment. The successful researcher will work within the Microbial Conversion Technologies and Sustainable Process Systems Engineering groups on a collaborative demonstration project supported through the Danish Energy Agency’s Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (EUDP), called DyneMe.

The project focuses on integrating reversible solid oxide electrolysis and fuel-cell operation with biogas production, biological methanation, and heat recovery. A key aim is to assess how a 300 kW second-generation Dynelectro electrolyser unit can support methane production from existing feedstock, improve energy efficiency, and provide grid-balancing capabilities through dynamic electrolyser loading and, where relevant, fuel-cell operation.

The postdoc will develop process models for the core unit operations and use them to study mass and energy flows across electrolysis, fuel-cell operation, anaerobic digestion, biochemical methanation, biogas processing, steam production, and heat recovery. The work also includes evaluating the interaction between variable hydrogen production and biological hydrogen uptake, identifying heat-integration opportunities between the solid oxide system and the biogas facility, and simulating representative operating conditions such as part-load operation, hot standby, and SOEC/SOFC modes.

The research combines detailed process simulation with broader system analysis. The successful applicant will connect process-model results with time-series or dispatch models to examine operation under variable electricity prices, renewable-electricity availability, biogas production, and heat demand. The project also includes techno-economic, sensitivity, and uncertainty analyses to support assessment of flexible operation and scale-up potential.

The position is situated in a highly interdisciplinary research environment with national, international, and industrial collaboration. Aarhus University highlights strong research infrastructure, laboratory access, shared software and databases, and a research climate that encourages open discussion across disciplines. The role also involves participating in regular project meetings and presenting modelling activities to the consortium.

The advertised work is positioned within an applied sustainability and energy-systems context, aiming to advance modelling and integration strategies for low-carbon fuel production and sector coupling.